The maintenance of management system certification requires regular audits. A certificate may be suspended or invalidated if a regular audit is not completed in time.
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Maintenance of Certifications
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IAF related Rules
According to ISO 17021 standard adopted by the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) associated with management system certifications like ISO 9001/14001/45001/27001, failure to conduct a Surveillance Audit in time will result in suspension of the certification.
Failure to complete the Recertification Audit within the required timeframe will result in failure to renew the certification and then it will become invalid.
During the suspension period, the certification is temporarily invalid and the organization cannot use the certificate, certification logo or the relevant certification statement.
IATF related Rules
The International Automotive Task Force (IATF) applies different rules for IATF 16949 certifications.
From 2025, failure to conduct a Surveillance Audit for a manufacturing site within the required timeframe will result in withdrawal of its IATF 16949 certification.
Failure to complete a Recertification Audit for a manufacturing site within the required timeframe will result in immediate withdrawal of its IATF 16949 certification.
An IATF 16949 certification may be suspended due to a major nonconformity or other reasons. The IATF 16949 certification is still valid during its suspension period.
Supervision in Mainland China
In particular, the market supervision authorities in mainland China may conduct random inspections of relevant local organizations.
The local authorities may penalize an organization if a false representation or statement is found in relation to its certification.
It is reported that some organizations have been fined for it.
Author
DQS Hong Kong
DQS – Leveraging Quality, Driving Success.
DQS empowers organizations worldwide to build trust, drive innovation, and achieve sustainable growth by certifying the future of business. Founded in 1985, DQS has grown into a global leader in the assessment and certification of management systems, with a team of 3,000 highly qualified auditors delivering over 130,000 audit days per year in more than 60 countries. Through internationally recognized certifications across 200+ standards, DQS helps businesses manage risks, ensure compliance, and unlock new opportunities in an evolving regulatory and business landscape.
Thinking beyond compliance, DQS is a trusted partner for digitalization, automation, and sustainability leadership. The company’s expertise covers a wide range of areas, spanning from cybersecurity and AI governance to ESG compliance, supply chain management, medical device safety, and future mobility, delivering real value to industries in their pursuit of resilient, sustainable, and intelligent systems. By leveraging advanced auditing methodologies, predictive analytics, and real-time insights, DQS supports organizations to future-proof their operations while demonstrating their commitment to excellence and responsible business practices.
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